Up West - Nos. 7 to 14 Thomas Street Dublin On the south side of the west end of Thomas Street (are you keeping up!), lies a terrace of buildings that now comprise part of the Digital Hub campus. Many of the buildings lie vacant and even derelict and its a sad reminder of the degree to which the streets fortunes have sunk. However, the terrace also hints back to Thomas Streets former status as a centre for Irish whiskey distilling and offers up some cultural curiosities. Turning the corner to Crane Street, and forming the approach of many visitors to the Guinness Storehouse, is 7 and 8 Thomas Street, two early 19th century buildings that were in (albeit decrepit) use until a few years ago. The window opes of the buildings are currently propped and there are stirrings of activity within ...perhaps pointing to a long hoped for restoration of the buildings and their return to use as part of the commercial life of Thomas Street. The last occupants here were a trophy shop (No 7) and a crafts shop (No 8), both quite logical given the location. Demolished No 9 next door was a funerary sculptures yard. Pride of place along here, and thankfully in much better condition is the former Millars Distillery (now occupied by Digital Hub businesses). Built between 1894 and 1900 it is a fine building with its distinctive granite dressed windows and carriage arch. Inside the arch there are lovely features such as its grand doorway and a glazed tile finish. It all points to the wealth and prominence of whiskey distillers in this area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Adam Millar & Company Distillers first established in 1843 as a premium Irish Whiskey and was successfully marketed until the 1970s. The brand was acquired by Cooley Distillery in 1989. (I am told) Millars Special Reserve was known throughout Ireland as a classic Dublin sipping whiskey. The traditional method of drinking such a whiskey was to sip it neat and occasionally drink a bottle of Guinness Stout as well. The brand survives, although whiskey production at the site no longer happens; however this fine building now houses new innovative businesses. Next door at No. 14 is the remains of John Murphys famous bell foundry. Murphy was noted for restoring the joy-bells of St Patricks Cathedral - and perhaps gained the work from his neighbour Benjamin Lee Guinness, who paid for the cathedrals 19th century restoration. The remaining shopfront dates from 1904 but the original building was a much older early 18th century house. On the wall is a plaque to Uileann Pipers Club, founded at this site in 1951.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:23:53 +0000
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